The Collegian

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports

Despite what you may have heard, the Hillsdale football team is not a lock to get into the Division II playoffs, even if they win this weekend at home against a woeful 0-10 Tiffin University team. There are two major factors that get calculated into the super regional rankings: overall D-II won-lost results, and overall D-II strength-of-schedule (SOS) (opponents' average winning percentage and opponents' opponents' average winning percentage). As the current No. 6 seed in Super Region three, Hillsdale sports a better overall record than the No. 7 and 8 seeds, but a worse SOS. The real threat to jump Hillsdale after the final game is No. 8 Wayne State College (Nebraska). Wayne State is 7-3 on the season and plays 5-5 University of Mary, ND. This is where SOS comes into play. Wayne State could finish with a SOS ranked as high as 8th hardest in the country, while Hillsdale's could be as low as 87th. This is a significant difference, and the playoff committee just might decide that difference is worth more than the one win difference in record. One area that Hillsdale has an advantage is trend performance - they have gone 4-0 in their last four games, in comparison to 3-1 for Wayne State. Still, unless Wayne State loses on Saturday, the Chargers will be at the mercy of the selection committee. The 24-team bracket will be announced on ESPNews Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. ET.

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